Dean Caravela was described by Caldwell coach Gary Gamella as the sparkplug for Essex County’s top-ranked team. Caravela, 13-2, was a state place-winner last season at 106 pounds.

The sophomore picked up a fall last week to help Caldwell down rival West Essex, 42-21, at home.

“Getting that fall, that really felt awesome,” Caravela said. “I started to wear him down late in the match. He started to back off, he started to lower his head, he was getting tired so I put pressure on him, started working some throws and some takedowns. He caved under it and that’s when I took advantage of the moment, put him to his back and that was it.”

Caravela has five pins, three technical falls and one major decision. In his 13 victories, just one wrestler has avoided surrendering bonus points.

TEAM TO WATCH

Irvington wrestled its way into the Essex County top 10 this week with a 48-19 victory over Millburn on Jan. 17. The team debuts at No. 7, knocking Millburn out of the rankings.

Irvington (4-2) also has victories over Verona, Columbia and Glen Ridge. In its four victories the team has outscored its opponents by an average score of 55-18.

The team is led by Garland Barham (7-1 at 285), D’yvenot Beaublanc (6-1 at 182), Evander Jeanty (7-1 at 106) and Neheima Shury (7-1 at 126 pounds) and is scheduled to take on Roselle Park, No. 14 in The Star-Ledger Top 20, on Feb. 5.

MATCH TO WATCH

Seton Hall Prep will host West Essex on Wednesday after dropping to West Orange, 36-26, on Jan. 15 and falling two spots, from No. 2 to No. 4, in this week’s Essex County rankings.

Despite losing to Caldwell, West Essex moved up one spot, from No. 3 to No. 2, this past week.

Seton Hall Prep is led by Tom Grosso (13-1 at 170), Anthony Canfora (10-2 at 138) and Justin Baker (14-3 at 195) while West Essex’s talent resides at the top of its lineup with Marc McDonald (12-3 at 195), Matt Dignozio (11-5 at 220) and Mark Dignozio (10-4 at 285).